Apparatus for temporarily engaging body tissue

ABSTRACT

An improved tissue engagement device such as a suction stabilizer or retractor. The stabilizer or retractor is provided with one or more suction pods mounted to the distal end of a flexible arm. The flexible arm is coupled to a base assembly, which attaches the arm to an associated retractor or other structure that is fixedly located relative to the operative site. The base assembly includes a fixed portion, which is coupled to the retractor or other fixed mounting point and a rotatable turret, allowing rotation of the arm relative to the fixed portion of the base assembly. A tensioning mechanism mounted to the turret applies tension to compress the turret around a corresponding pivot mounted to the fixed portion of the base to rotationally lock the turret and to lock the arm in its current configuration.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to surgery on body tissues andorgans. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods anddevices for engaging an organ, e.g. for positioning an organ in adesired orientation or for temporarily immobilizing a local area oftissue subject to motion, such as the heart wall, which permits asurgical procedure to be performed on that local area of tissue.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Coronary artery disease remains the leading cause of morbidity andmortality in Western societies. A number of approaches have beendeveloped for treating coronary artery disease. In less severe cases, itis often sufficient to merely treat the symptoms with pharmaceuticals orto treat the underlying causes of the disease with lifestylemodification. In more severe cases, the coronary blockage can be treatedendovascularly using techniques such as balloon angioplasty,atherectomy, laser ablation, stents, and the like. In cases where theseapproaches have failed or are likely to fail, it is often necessary toperform a coronary artery bypass graft procedure.

The coronary artery bypass graft procedure traditionally required aheart-lung or cardiopulmonary bypass. Due to the risks incurred duringcardiopulmonary bypass, beating heart bypass surgery techniques havebeen developed to allow coronary artery bypass without cardiopulmonarybypass. Several systems are presently available which attempt toimmobilize epicardial tissue in the immediate vicinity of an anastomosissite through a pressure stabilizer employing a simple mechanical fork.Such a device stabilizes the heart by pressing a fork downwards onto theheart surface. The fork is typically mounted to an elongated arm, whichin turn is typically mounted to a retractor, holding the patient's ribsapart to create an operative window. Angular movement of the armrelative to the retractor in some cases is accomplished by means of aturret, which may be clamped in its desired rotational position.Longitudinal movement of the arm relative to the retractor is typicallyallowed as well, and clamping mechanisms are typically provided to allowclamping of the arm to the turret and locking of the fork relative tothe arm. Exemplary pressure stabilization devices are disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 6,876,332, issued to Looney and U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,641, issuedto Taylor, et al., both incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

Suction stabilization systems, such as the Medtronic Octopus® TissueStabilizer (available from Medtronic, Inc., Minneapolis, Minn. USA),instead employ a comparatively long, flexible, articulating arm carryinga pair of suction paddles or pods at its distal end. During use, the armis typically secured to a retractor, holding the patient's ribs apart tocreate an operative window. The pods are placed on either side of theanastomosis site and suction is applied to grip and immobilize thesurface of the heart. Thereafter, tension is applied along the length ofthe arm to lock the arm in its position and to lock the position of thepods relative to the Arm. In Medtronic's device, is generally disclosedin pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/396,047, filed by Boone,et al. on Sep. 15, 1999, for a “Method And Apparatus For TemporarilyImmobilizing A Local Area Of Tissue”, incorporated herein by referencein its entirety. In this device, a single knob, mounted to the proximalend of the arm, is employed to lock the arm in position and additionallyto spread the pods somewhat, slightly stretching the heart's surface toprovide additional stabilization of the heart surface. In such devices,all adjustment of the arm relative to the retractor is accomplished byvarying the configuration of the flexible arm, prior to locking it inits desired position. Other examples of suction stabilization devicesare disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,113,534, issued to Koros, et al., U.S.Pat. No. 6,007,486, issued to Hunt, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,836,311,issued to Borst, et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,727,569, issued to Benetti,et al., all incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

In conjunction with stabilization devices, suction retractors are oftenemployed to position the heart to allow access to the desiredanastomosis site. The Medtronic Starfish™ device and the Guidant Axius™Expose™ device are examples of commercially available suctionretractors. These devices employ a single, larger suction pod to engagethe heart, typically in the vicinity of the heart apex. The suction podis carried by a flexible arm, which, like the suction stabilizersdiscussed above, also may be locked into a desired configuration bytension applied along their length. The application of tension to thearm may also serve to lock a carrier for the suction pod relative to thearm to fix the suction pod in a desired orientation relative to the arm,as in the Guidant device. The Medtronic device is described in pendingU.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/679,294, filed Jun. 12, 2001 byKeogh, et al. for a “Method and System for Organ Positioning andStabilization, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TheGuidant device is described in the brochure “Axius™ Expose™ Device,Instructions for Use, Guidant Corp., 2001, P/N 30462, Rev. A, alsoincorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Other suctionretractors are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,019,772, issued to Spence,et al. and PCT Publication No. WO 01/17437 by Peng, both alsoincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved tissue engagement device suchas a suction stabilizer or retractor, which includes features intendedto allow for easier use of the device and to simplify the operationsnecessary to lock the device in a desired configuration. In a preferredembodiment, the invention takes the form of a suction stabilizer havingsuction pods mounted to the distal end of a flexible arm. In thisembodiment, the flexible arm is coupled to a base assembly, whichattaches the arm to an associated retractor or other structure that isfixedly located relative to the operative site. The base assemblyincludes a fixed portion, which is coupled to the retractor or otherfixed mounting point and a rotatable portion, for example, comprising aturret, allowing rotation of the arm and turret relative to the fixedportion of the base assembly. In the embodiment disclosed, the flexiblearm is locked into a desired position by means of a tensioningmechanism, also mounted to the turret. The invention may also beembodied as a suction retractor, having a similar flexible arm, whereinthe tensioning mechanism similarly locks the turret and the arm.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention described in detailherein, the tensioning mechanism mounted to the turret applies tensionto a cable extending through the flexible arm, to the distal end of thearm, which carries a spreading/tightening mechanism along with twosuction pods. The tensioning mechanism applies tension along the entirelength of the arm to compress the turret around a corresponding pivot,mounted to the fixed portion of the base, to lock the arm in its currentconfiguration, to lock the relative location of the spreading/tighteningmechanism relative to the arm and to spread the suction pods apart fromone another to provide for additional stabilization at the desiredanastomosis site. If the invention is embodied as a suction retractor,the tensioning mechanism would correspondingly lock the turret and armin the same fashion, and optionally could lock a pivotably mountedcarrier for the single enlarged suction pod so that the suction pod isheld in its desired orientation relative to the arm.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, all operations of thetensioning mechanism are controlled by rotation of a single knob orother control mechanism, simplifying use of the device. In the disclosedembodiment of the invention, the suction pods are interconnected bymeans of a conduit located distal to the spreading/tightening mechanism,allowing for the use of a single vacuum line to provide vacuum tosuction pods while retaining an over-all low profile to thespreading/tightening mechanism. In the disclosed embodiment of theinvention, an improved clamping mechanism is also provided for lockingthe fixed portion of the base assembly to an associated retractor. Theimproved clamping mechanism employs a cam pin which is used both to movea sliding lock component upward to clamp it against the fixed portion ofthe base and to move the sliding lock component laterally to tighten thesliding lock component against the retractor or other fixed mountingpoint for the assembly.

While the various aspects of the invention are most preferably embodiedin a suction stabilizer or retractor with an articulating arm, certainaspects of the invention may be useful in the context of a pressurestabilizer and/or a stabilizer with a rigid arm and/or a suctionretractor with a rigid arm. In addition, it is anticipated that theinvention will be applicable to similar surgical devises intended foruse in other medical procedures, as they may be developed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention will best beappreciated with reference to the detailed description of a preferredembodiment of the invention in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a suction stabilizer embodying thepresent invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a component of the flexible arm of the stabilizer ofFIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C illustrates the mechanism of operation of the flexible arm ofthe stabilizer of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is an exploded view of the base assembly 24 of the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the distal end of the base assembly 24,illustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view through the base assembly illustratedin FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIG. 2D is a partial cross-section through a first portion of the baseassembly illustrated in FIG. 2C.

FIG. 2E is a cross-section through a second portion of the base assemblyillustrated in FIG. 2C.

FIG. 2F is a cross-section through an alternative embodiment to the baseassembly illustrated in FIG. 2C.

FIG. 3A is a plan view of the proximal end of the tightening/spreadingmechanism of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3B is a sectional view through the tightening/spreading assembly ofFIG. 3A, illustrating the spreading mechanism and the construction ofthe suction pods.

FIG. 3C is a side plan view of the tightening/spreading mechanism andsuction pods of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of theinvention. A flexible, articulating arm 20 is attached to base assembly24 on the proximal end of the arm, and terminates withtightening/spreading mechanism 21 at the distal end of the arm. On theopposite, more proximal, end of base assembly 24 is handle 23, whichoperates to lock the arm in position, as discussed in more detail below.Extending distally beyond tightening/spreading mechanism 21 is aplurality (as shown, two) of suction paddles or pods 22. The suctionpods 22 can be connected to a vacuum line by a conventional vacuum lineconnection 25. Each pod and its suction ports may be constructed in anyacceptable manner, such as that used in the Medtronic Octopus™ tissuestabilizer. Clamp 26 is designed to attach the entire device toconventional surgical retractors or other equipment located in a fixedrelation to the operative site.

The preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1A is illustrative but notintended to be limiting insofar as the scope of the invention isconcerned. For example, the handle 23 is shown in a preferred and highlystylized embodiment, but any device that performs the functions of thehandle as described below would suffice. Articulating arm 20 comprises aplurality of “ball and socket” links 120, as illustrated in FIGS. 1B and1C, discussed below. In some embodiments, the links of articulating arm20 are covered with a thin walled elastomeric sheath, as disclosed inthe above cited '047 application. The sheath serves to prevent fragilesutures from catching on the edges where the links join. The sheath ispreferably manufactured of silicone rubber, although other materials,such as latex rubber or polyurethane or even collagen, may also be used.

FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view of a link used in the arm of thepresent invention. As seen, each link 120 has a hole 123 that passesthrough its center. Each link 120 comprises, on its distal end, aspherical protrusion 121; and on its proximal end, a sphericalindentation 122. The spherical shapes of adjacent links are nearlyidentical, such that the links rotate smoothly against one anotherprovided they are not under undue tension with each other.

Turning now to FIG. 1C, which is a partial view of a section of thelinks and cable showing the engagement of the cable with the sidewall ofthe links as the arm is bent. A cable 40 passes through hole of all ofthe links and is connected between the handle 23 and thetightening/spreading mechanism 21. Rotation of handle 23 tightens thecable and causes the links to hold against each other in place.Immobilization of the links relative to each other during tightening ofthe cable is facilitated by the shape of the hole 123. As seen, hole isflared, having a larger opening with the surface of the sphericalprotrusion 121 and a smaller opening through the surface of thespherical indentation 122. The links, as seen in FIG. 1A, may vary insize along the length of the arm, with the links in the most proximalportion of the arm being largest, and the links in the most distalportion being the smallest. In the preferred embodiment, the links arefabricated out of a highly rigid engineered thermoplastic or of a metalsuch as stainless steel. The cable is preferably a multi-strandedstainless steel cable, having between approximately 7 to 19 strands. Thelinks and cable may also be manufactured from other materials, includingany other suitable metals or highly engineered polymers including anynumber of available liquid crystal polymers for the links, as well asmany other types of cables, including bundle stranded, braided or cabledtitanium as well as Kevlar™ for the cable. Some embodiments may alsoemploys a textured surface molded or otherwise formed into the sphericalfeatures of the links. When the links are pulled together duringtightening, the texturing causes an increase in coefficient of frictionbetween the adjacent spherical surfaces. This has the highly desirablebenefit of increasing overall system stiffness. Examples of suchsurfaces are also disclosed in the above cited '047 application.

FIG. 2A is an exploded drawing illustrating the various functionalcomponents of the base assembly 24 of the suction stabilizer illustratedin FIG. 1A. The base assembly 24 includes a fixed portion to be mountedto a surgical retractor or other structure having a fixed locationrelative to the patient and a rotatable portion or turret, rotatablerelative to the fixed portion of the base. The fixed portion of the baseassembly includes pivot mount 240, cover 241, lever 200 and associatedcam rod 202, springs 244 and a cam pin, not shown in this view. Therotatable portion of the base assembly includes the turret, comprisingfirst and second turret halves 206 and 216 and hinge pin 208, and thetensioning mechanism comprising handle 23, threaded shaft 222, washers226 and sleeve 228 which, as assembled, is mounted to the proximal endof the tension cable 40 (FIG. 1C). A spherical projection 204 is formedon the distal end of turret half 206, which is inserted in thecorresponding spherical recess of the first link 120 (FIG. 1A) of theflexible arm.

Pivot mount 240 carries the turret pivot 242, which takes the form of adisk topping a cylindrical section extending upward and at an angle fromthe pivot mount 240. First and second turret halves 206 and 216, whenassembled, are mounted around the turret pivot 242, allowing the turretand attached flexible arm to pivot relative to the fixed portion of thebase assembly. The first and second turret halves 206 and 216 areprovided with grooved portions 207, 217, adapted to engage with thedisk-shaped top portion of turret pivot 242, allowing rotation butpreventing removal of the first and second turret members 206 and 216.Turret halves 206 and 216 are connected to one another by means of hingepin 208. When assembled, hinge pin 208 passes through bore 212 in thesecond turret half 216, through bore 210 in the first turret half 206and then is anchored in bore 214 of the second turret half 216. By thisarrangement, turret halves 206 and 216 may pivot relative to oneanother. The dimensions of the internally formed grooves in turrethalves 206 and 216 are such that when the two components are pivotedaround pin 208 such that their lower extremities are in close proximityto one another, they correspondingly clamp inwardly around the turretpivot 242, locking the turret rotationally into position relative to thefixed portion of the base assembly. When assembled, projection 215 islocated in a corresponding recess in turret half 206, maintaining theturret halves in alignment.

The mechanism for tensioning cable 40 (FIG. 1C) is carried by the turretand includes handle 23, threaded shaft 222, washers 226 and sleeve 228.When assembled, sleeve 228 is tightly crimped to the end of the tensioncable 40 which, in the device as assembled, extends through the internalbore 224 of threaded member 222, through first and second turret halves206 and 216 and out the opening 250 on the distal surface 204 of thefirst turret component 206. Like the device described in the above cited'047 application, rotation of handle 23 causes tension to be applied tothe cable 40, tightening the elements of the flexible arm relative toone another to a fixed position. Concurrently, tightening of the cablealso causes first and second turret halves 206 and 216 to pivot towardone another, causing them to clamp circumferentially around turret pivot242.

Operation of the tensioning mechanism is as follows. The distalextremity of the threaded member 220 is provided with a hexagonallyshaped distal portion 220, which is located in a correspondinghexagonally configured recess 218 in the proximal portion of the secondturret half 216. Threaded member 222 is free to slide within thisrecess, but cannot rotate. When assembled, washers 226 are locatedwithin the proximal end of the first turret half 216, and provide abearing surface against which handle 23 rotates. Handle 23 is providedwith internal threading corresponding to the external threading onmember 222. Rotation of handle 23 thus causes proximal movement ofmember 222 against sleeve 228, in turn causing proximal movement of thecable 40, correspondingly tightening the components of the articulatingarm and the turret, to affix them in their desired positions. Resilienttabs 223 of handle 23 cooperate with corresponding notches formed in thesecond turret half 216 to prevent over-rotation of the handle 23 andconsequent detachment of the handle. This aspect of the operation of thetensioning mechanism is discussed in more detail below in conjunctionwith FIG. 2E.

As discussed below, proximal movement of cable 40 also serves tostabilize the location of the spreading mechanism 21 at the distalportion of the arm (as illustrated in FIG. 1A) as well as causing thesuction pods 22 (also illustrated in FIG. 1A) to move outward relativeto one another. Thus, in the invention that as disclosed, rotation ofthe knob 23 accomplishes four functions as a result of tensioning thecable, including clamping of the turret to the fixed portion of thebase, locking the flexible arm in its then present configuration,locking the position of the tightening/spreading mechanism 21 and pods20 relative to the distal end of the flexible arm, and shortlythereafter or concurrently, spreading the suction pods 220 apart fromone another to stretch the heart tissue located between the pods. Thestructural relationship of the various components of FIG. 2A isillustrated in more detail in FIG. 2C, discussed below.

Mounted to the fixed portion of the base assembly is sliding clamp 26.Clamp 26 is provided with inwardly directed tabs 234 and is alsoprovided with two upwardly extending projections 236. When assembled,projections 236 are located adjacent the distal ends of springs 244,which lie in downwardly extending grooves formed in the lower surface ofpivot mount 240 and urge clamp 26 distally. Handle 200 and cam rod 202also make up a portion of the clamping mechanism, passing through bore248 in the clamp 26. Functional operation of the clamp 232 is describedin more detail in conjunction with FIGS. 2C and 2D, discussed below.

FIG. 2B is a plan view of the distal surface of the base assembly 24after assembly. All numbered components illustrated correspond toidentically numbered components in FIG. 2A. In this view, it can be seenthat the first and second turret halves 206 and 216, respectively, aremounted closely adjacent to one another and around the turret pivot 242(not visible in this view). FIG. 2B also illustrates the line alongwhich the cross-section of FIG. 2C is taken.

FIG. 2C is a sectional view through the base assembly 24 illustrated inFIGS. 2A and 2B. In this view, the functional inter-relationship of thecomponents of the base assembly can better be appreciated. Allcomponents correspond to identically numbered components in FIGS. 2A and2B.

In this view, turret halves 206 and 216 are shown mounted to one anotherby means of hinge pin 208, and the inter-relation of the internalcircumferential grooves 207, 217 in turret halves 206 and 216 can beappreciated. These grooves are shown as located closely adjacent to theouter surface of the pivot 242. Movement of the lower portions of theturret halves 206 and 216 toward one another due to tension provided bythe cable 40 tightly clamps the turret to the turret pivot 242. Handle23 is shown with its threaded inner surface engaging the threaded member222 and its distal surface lying adjacent washers 226, located in arecess formed in the proximal end of turret component 216. Thehexagonally shaped distal portion of threaded member 222 is shown lyingwithin a correspondingly configured lumen 264 formed within turret half216, allowing for longitudinal movement of threaded member 220 but notrotational movement. Sleeve 228 is shown located within the handle 23,adjacent the proximal end of threaded member 222 and is mounted to theproximal end of the tension cable 40.

More clearly visible in this view is the mechanism by which clamp 26operates in conjunction with the pivot mount 240 to provide a mechanismfor attaching the assembly to an associated chest retractor. Pivot mount240 is provided with a downwardly extending projection having aproximally facing angled surface 252, corresponding to a distally facingangled surface 254 on the distal end of clamp 26. In use, a portion of aretractor is located between these two slanted surfaces, and clamp 26 ismoved distally as far as possible so that that portion of the retractoris held between pivot mount 240 and clamp 26. Cam pin 256 is locatedwithin an angled bore 260 formed in clamp 26, having its lower extremitylocated proximal to its upper extremity. Pin 256 extends through and islocated slidably within a downwardly extending slot 262, formed in pivotmount 240. Although not shown in this view, the enlarged head portion258 of pin 256 bears downwardly along the upper surface 238 of the pivotmount 240. Cam rod 202 has its camming surface located within a crossbore in the pin 256, configured so that rotation of the handle 200 andassociated cam rod 202 pulls the pin downward relative to the pivotmount 240 and is correspondingly pulls clamp 26 upward into tightcontact with pivot mount 240. Because pin 256 and bore 260 are angledless than 90 degrees relative to the axis along which the clamp 26slides, rotation of the cam rod 202 by means of lever 200 (FIG. 2B) alsocauses a slight distal movement of clamp 26 relative to the pivot base240, tightening it against the associated retractor as well. Cover 241isshown mounted to the pivot mount 240, covering the slot 262 in which thepin 256 is mounted.

FIG. 2D is a partial cross-section through the fixed portion of the baseassembly 24 illustrated in FIG. 2C. In this view, it can be seen thatthe pivot mount 240 is provided with two downwardly extendinglongitudinal grooves 268, in which springs 244 are mounted. The distalends of these springs bear against the upwardly extending projections236 (FIG. 2A) on clamp 26 and the proximal ends of these springs bearagainst projections located within grooves 268 in order to urge clamp 26in a distal direction relative to the pivot mount 240. Also visible inthis view is the configuration of cam pin 266, showing its enlarged headportion 258 riding along the upper surface 238 of the pivot mount 240.All other numbered components correspond to identically numberedcomponents in the figures above.

FIG. 2E is a partial cross-section through the proximal portion of thesecond turret half 216, illustrating the inter relation of the resilienttabs 223 on knob 23 and the internal lumen formed in turret half 216. Asillustrated, resilient tabs 223 are compressed inward against the innersurface of the lumen in the proximal portion of turret half 216. Formedadjacent to the proximal edge of the turret half 216 are two triangulardepressions 211, formed to correspond to the free ends of the resilienttabs 233. When the threaded rod 222 is bottomed within the second turrethalf 216, rotation of the knob in a counter clockwise direction (asviewed from the proximal end of the turret assembly) causes the knob tomove proximally relative to the second turret half 216. At such time asthe resilient tabs 233 move sufficiently proximally, they will latchinto triangular indentations 211, preventing further rotation of knob23. Because threaded shaft 222 is still threaded into the interior ofthe knob 23 at this point, the knob remains attached to the baseassembly and cannot be inadvertently removed.

FIG. 2F illustrates a cross-sectional view through an alternativeembodiment to the base assembly illustrated in FIG. 2C. In this view,the configuration of the majority of the components is identical to thatillustrated in FIG. 2C, with the following exceptions. Pivot mount 240Ais provided with a spherical pivot 242A rather than a disk shaped pivotas in the embodiment of FIG. 2C. Correspondingly, turret halves 206A and216A are provided with spherical recesses 207A and 217A, rather thancircumferential slots as in the embodiment of FIG. 2C. This alternativeembodiment provides a base assembly with a higher profile, but allowsfor increased adjustability of the position of the turret relative tothe base, as compared to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2C. Allother aspects of operation of the device correspond to those discussedabove in conjunction with FIG. 2C.

FIG. 3A is a plan view of the proximal end of the tightening/spreadingmechanism 21 of the suction stabilizer illustrated in FIG. 1A. Thetension cable 40 is visible in cross-section, exiting through bore inthe proximal surface of the tightening/spreading mechanism 21. Aspherical recess 302 is formed in the proximal surface oftightening/spreading mechanism 21, which receives the correspondingspherical surface of the last link 120 (FIG. 1A) of the flexible arm.Located concentrically within the vacuum connector 25 is a metallic tube304, which functions to deliver vacuum to the suction pods 22, mountedto the spreading/tightening mechanism 21. FIG. 3A also illustrates thecross-sectional line along which the view of FIG. 3B is taken.

FIG. 3B shows the spreading/tightening mechanism 21 of FIG. 1, inconjunction with the vacuum pods 22. In this view it can be seen thatthe spreading/tightening mechanism 21 includes a first molded plasticcomponent 309. A metal ball 332, located at the distal end of cable 230is located within a corresponding generally cylindrical recess 335formed in plastic component 309. Ball 334 may be provided with asilicone coating to reduce friction. A portion of the recess 332 isformed as an angled surface 330, which also engages a portion of theproximal surface of ball 334. In operation, the proximal movement ofcable 230 caused by rotation of handle 23, as discussed above, causesthe proximal surface of ball 334 to bear against the angled surface 330,causing deformation of member 309 and corresponding spreading of thesuction pods 22, relative to one another. Indentations 337, molded intocomponent 309 serve to define hinge points.

Suction pods 22 correspond generally to those described in conjunctionwith the '047 application, cited above. However, rather than deliveringvacuum individually to each pod, only a single vacuum line is required,coupled to vacuum connector 25. Distribution of vacuum to both pods isaccomplished by means of a cross bore 320, molded into the plasticcomponent 310 which forms the body of suction pods 22.

Malleable metal tubes 304 and 306 are shown located withinlongitudinally aligned bores within components 309 and 310. Tube 304extends to the vacuum connector 25, and serves as the vacuum source forboth pods 22. The proximal end of tube 306 is capped by ball 308, andthe recess adjacent to it is backfilled, for example with siliconerubber. The distal ends of both tubes 304 and 306 are similarly cappedwith balls 308 and backfilled. Cross bore 320 extends all the waythrough the molded plastic component 309. However, it is sealed at itsends by means of the tubular projections 340 and 342 of component 309.After assembly, the slight recesses 322 and 324 may be filled withsilicone rubber. Malleable tubes 304 and 306 are formed such that eachis provided with a laterally directed opening 328, 326 which asassembled aligns with the cross bore 320, providing a mechanism forcommunicating vacuum applied to tube 304 to tube 306, and thereby evenlyapplied to both suction pods 22. Vacuum applied to tube 304 is deliveredto cup shaped recesses in each of the pods, indicated at 316 and 318, bymeans of bores 312 and 314, in a fashion similar to that as employed inthe presently available Medtronic devices.

FIG. 3C is a side plan view of the spreading/tightening mechanism 21 andsuction pods 22 illustrated in FIG. 3B. Numbered components correspondto identically numbered components in FIG. 3B. In this view, the generalconfiguration of the pods 22 and of the cup shaped recesses 314,illustrated in broken outline, can be seen. The lower surface of thepods is molded to define a generally arcuate surface 338 for improvingadhesion of the pods to the heart surface.

In the embodiments illustrated above, the stabilizer is disclosed as astabilizer having a flexible, articulating arm. As noted above, theinvention may similarly be practiced in a suction retractor with anarticulating arm. Moreover, certain aspects of the invention might alsobe used fully practiced in the context of a stabilizer or retractor witha rigid arm. For example, the ability to simultaneously rotationallylock the turret relative to the fixed portion of the base assembly inconjunction with adjustment of the angular position of thespreading/tightening assembly relative to the arm or adjustment of theposition of the suction pod of a retractor relative to the arm wouldstill be desirable. Similarly, in the context of a suction stabilizerwith a rigid arm, the ability to simultaneously lock the turretrotationally relative to the fixed portion of the base and spread thepods 22 would still be valuable. The various features discussed above inconjunction with the lock, the spreading/tightening mechanism could alsousefully be employed in a stabilizer with a rigid arm. Similarly, whilethe disclosed embodiments of the invention take the form of a suctionstabilizer, inclusion of the ability to simultaneously adjust theposition of the turret relative to the fixed portion of the base andadjust the position of the tissue contact members in a pressurestabilization device would also be of use in a pressure stabilizer.

While the disclosed embodiment employs a knob and a threaded shaft toapply tension to the cable, causing the locking of the turret to thefixed portion of the base assembly, alternative mechanisms for applyingtension to the cable could of course be substituted. For example, thetensioning mechanisms disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,486 issued toHunt, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,425 issued to Corey, et al. and U.S.Pat. No. 6,264,605 issued to Sirica, et al. could all usefully besubstituted for the tensioning mechanism of the present invention, whileremaining within the scope of the present invention. As such, the abovedescription and associated drawings should be considered as exemplary,rather than limiting, with regard to the scope of the claims whichfollow:

1. A tissue engaging device, comprising: an elongated arm, the arm beingflexible to display multiple configurations, having a proximal end and adistal end and a longitudinal axis; a tissue engagement mechanism,mounted to the distal end of the arm; a base assembly comprising a fixedbase member having a pivot and a rotatable base member mounted on thepivot; the proximal end of the arm on the rotatable base member toprovide rotation of the axis of the arm at its proximal end relative tothe fixed base member; a tension member extending through the rotatablebase member and arm; and a tensioning mechanism mounted to the baseassembly, the tensioning mechanism operably coupled to apply tension tothe tension member to concurrently compresses the rotatable memberaround the pivot to rotationally lock the rotatable base member to thefixed base member and lock the flexible arm in its then currentconfiguration.
 2. A device as in claim 1 wherein the tissue engagementmechanism is pivotably attached to the arm.
 3. A device as in claim 2wherein the tensioning mechanism concurrently locks the tissueengagement mechanism in a pivotal position by application of tension onthe tension member.
 4. A tissue engaging device, comprising: anelongated arm having a proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinalaxis; a tissue engagement mechanism, pivotably mounted to the distal endof the arm; a base assembly comprising a fixed base member comprising apivot and a rotatable base member mounted around the pivot and attachedto the proximal end of the arm, the rotatable base member rotatable toprovide rotation of the axis of the arm at its proximal end relative tothe fixed base member; a tension member extending through the rotatablebase member and arm to the tissue engagement mechanism; and a tensioningmechanism mounted to the rotatable base member, the tensioning mechanismoperably coupled to apply tension to the tension member to concurrentlyrotationally lock the rotatable base member to the fixed base member bycompressing the rotatable base member around the pivot and lock theposition of the tissue engagement mechanism relative to the arm.
 5. Adevice as in claim 4, wherein the tissue engagement mechanism comprisesa suction pod.
 6. A device as in claim 5, wherein the tissue engagementmechanism comprises two suction pods.
 7. A device as in claim 4 whereinthe arm is flexible to conform to multiple shapes.
 8. A device as inclaim 7 wherein the tensioning mechanism concurrently locks the flexiblearm in its current shape by application of tension on the tensionmember.
 9. A tissue engaging device, comprising: an elongated arm havinga proximal end and a distal end and a longitudinal axis; a tissueengagement mechanism mounted to the distal end of the arm, the tissueengagement mechanism comprising first and second tissue contact membersextending from the distal end of the arm and means for spreading thetissue contact members apart from one another responsive to appliedtension; a base assembly comprising a fixed base member and a rotatablebase member mounted to the proximal end of the arm, the rotatable basemember rotatable to provide rotation of the axis of the arm at itsproximal end relative to the fixed base member; a tension memberextending through the rotatable base member and arm to the tissueengagement mechanism; and a tensioning mechanism mounted to therotatable base member, the tensioning mechanism operably coupled toapply tension to the tension member to concurrently rotationally lockthe rotatable base member to the fixed base member and spread the tissuecontact members apart from one another.
 10. A device as in claim 9,wherein the fixed base member comprises a pivot and wherein therotatable base member is mounted around the pivot and whereinapplication of tension to the tension member compresses the rotatablemember around the pivot.
 11. A device as in claim 10, wherein therotatable base member comprises two components pivotably mounted to oneanother and wherein application of tension to the tension member pivotsthe two components relative to one another to compress the componentsaround the pivot.
 12. A device as in claim 11, wherein the pivotcomprises a projection from the fixed base member having a circularcircumferential surface and wherein application of tension to thetension member pivots the two components relative to one another tocompress the components around the circular circumferential surface ofthe pivot.
 13. A device as in claim 12, wherein the circularcircumferential surface of the pivot is a cylindrical surface.
 14. Adevice as in claim 12, wherein the circular circumferential surface ofthe pivot is a spherical surface.
 15. A device as in claim 9 wherein thetissue contact members are suction pods.
 16. A device as in claim 9wherein the arm is flexible.
 17. A device as in claim 16 wherein thetensioning mechanism concurrently locks the flexible arm in a rigidposition by application of tension on the tension member.
 18. A deviceas in claim 9 wherein the tissue engagement mechanism is pivotablyattached to the arm.
 19. A device as in claim 18 wherein the tensioningmechanism concurrently locks the position of the tissue engagementmechanism relative to the arm by application of tension on the tensionmember.
 20. A device as in claim 9 wherein the rotatable base member isa turret.
 21. A device as in claim 9 wherein the fixed base member is asliding clamp.
 22. A suction stabilizer comprising: A flexible,elongated arm having a proximal end and a distal end; a tension memberextending through the arm; a spreading mechanism mounted to the distalend of the arm and coupled to the tension member; a tensioning mechanismmounted to the proximal end of the arm, the tensioning mechanismoperably coupled to apply tension to the tension member to concurrentlylock the arm in a desired configuration and spread tissue contactmembers apart from one another; first and second suction pods mounted toand extending distally from the spreading mechanism, each having atissue engaging surface and each including a suction port open to thetissue engaging surface and an internal passageway coupled to thesuction port; a conduit located distal to the spreading mechanism andopen to both of the internal passageways; and a suction inlet to theconduit.
 23. A stabilizer as in claim 22, further comprising a baseassembly comprising a fixed base member and a rotatable base membermounted to the proximal end of the arm the rotatable base memberrotatable to provide rotation of the axis of the arm at its proximal,end relative to the fixed base member.
 24. A stabilizer as in claim 23,wherein the tensioning mechanism is operably coupled to apply tension tothe tension member to concurrently lock the rotatable base member in adesired rotational position relative to the fixed base member.
 25. Atissue engaging device, comprising: a base assembly; and an elongatedarm having a proximal end mounted to the base assembly and a distal endcarrying a tissue engagement mechanism; wherein the base assemblycomprises: a base member with an upper surface, an elongated slot opento the upper surface and a downwardly extending projection; a lockmember mounted to the base assembly and slidable along the base memberalong a first axis toward the downwardly extending projection, the lockmember having an internal downwardly extending bore, angled less than 90degrees relative to the first axis and a cross bore, intersecting theangled bore; a pin with an enlarged head and a cross-bore, the pinmounted in the bore of the lock member and extending through theelongated slot in the base member, the enlarged head engaging the uppersurface of the base member; and a cam rod extending through the crossbores in the lock member and pin.
 26. A device as in claim 25, whereinthe tissue engagement mechanism comprises a suction pod.
 27. A device asin claim 18 wherein the tissue engagement mechanism comprises twosuction pods.
 28. A device as in claim 25 or claim 26 or claim 27,wherein the arm is a flexible arm.